The refugee crisis: A call to compassion

What should we be doing to help with the refugee crisis being played out in front of our eyes on virtually every news bulletin and newspaper headline? Remembering that our Saviour was once a refugee, and that we too were once "aliens and strangers", excluded from the family we now belong to by the grace of God, how can we show solidarity with those seeking refuge from the atrocities that are happening in Syria? How will this humanitarian crisis on our doorstep change us – not just for one day but for good?

Please watch and share this video. (You can download it here). Also consider playing it at your church services as we call the church to transformative action.

" data-caption="null" data-credit="null">

1. Pray – 24/7 has launched a special week of prayer – find out more here.
2. Foster – many children and young people are coming to the UK as refugees without their parents. Lets be ready to welcome them into loving homes through Home for Good. Sign up here to be added to a national database.
3. Welcome – with the government's promise to receive thousands more refugees, Our churches need to be ready to welcome them into our communities and help them to integrate. If you have property available to rent please get in touch with Citizens UK.
4. Connect – Can you use your connections to help make properties available to those seeking asylum?
5. Give – Open Doors has launched a special appeal to help those facing persecution in Syria. £35.50 can provide an emergency food parcel to feed a family of five for two weeks.

related articles
Father of drowned Syrian toddlers prepares to take bodies home
Father of drowned Syrian toddlers prepares to take bodies home

"I just want to sit next to the grave of my children and my wife and rest."

France and Germany urge refugee quota system as Europe struggles under mounting crisis
France and Germany urge refugee quota system as Europe struggles under mounting crisis

Politicians have struggled to respond to public opinion appalled by images of a drowned three-year-old boy.

Britain will take thousands more Syrian refugees, says Cameron
Britain will take thousands more Syrian refugees, says Cameron

The extra refugees will come from refugee camps in the region.

Viral photos of drowned Syrian boy sparks  global outpouring of sympathy for refugees
Viral photos of drowned Syrian boy sparks global outpouring of sympathy for refugees

Photos of a Syrian boy found dead on a beach in Turkey have been circulating around social media, triggering an outpouring of sympathy for the millions of refugees from war-torn areas trying to enter European countries.

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.